Tie back and method for use with expandable tubulars

Abstract

The present invention provides apparatus and methods for completing a wellbore using expandable tubulars. In one aspect, the invention includes a tubular member with an expandable portion at a lower end constructed and arranged to be expanded into contact with a previously expanded liner. At an upper end of the tubular is a polish bore receptacle permitting the tubular to be tied back to the surface of the well with production tubing. In another aspect, the invention provides a method of completing a well comprising expanding a liner top into a cased wellbore to hang the liner and, thereafter running a tubular member into the wellbore.

1. A method of completing a wellbore, comprising:
 locating an upper end potion of a liner in overlapping relation with a lower end portion of casing disposed in the wellbore; 
 expanding the liner in the overlapping area whereby an outer surface of the liner is placed into contact with an inner surface of the casing to bearingly fix the liner to the casing; and 
 inserting a tubular string into a polished bore receptacle portion of a tubular coupled to the upper end portion of the liner, wherein the polished bore receptacle portion is not expanded. 
 
   
   
     2. The method of  claim 1 , whereby the liner is expanded with outer radial force applied on an inner wall thereof. 
   
   
     3. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising expanding a portion of the tubular below the polished bore receptacle portion of the tubular. 
   
   
     4. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising expanding a portion of the tubular above the polished bore receptacle portion of the tubular. 
   
   
     5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the liner is expanded with an expander tool having at least one outwardly actuatable, member disposed thereupon. 
   
   
     6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein an expander tool is located adjacent the liner during run in of the liner. 
   
   
     7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the liner has a sealing member on an outer surface thereof, the sealing member forming a sealing relationship with the casing when the liner is expanded. 
   
   
     8. A liner system for completing a weilbore, comprising:
 a liner having an upper end portion expanded into an overlapping lower end portion of casing disposed in the wellbore, the liner having a tubular coupled thereto that includes a polish bore receptacle portion formed therein, wherein the tubular includes a portion that is expanded below the polish bore receptacle portion. 
 
   
   
     9. The liner system of  claim 8 , wherein at least a section of the upper end portion of the liner includes a sealing member disposed on an outer surface thereof. 
   
   
     10. The liner system of  claim 8 , wherein the polish bore receptacle portion is above a portion of the liner that is expanded. 
   
   
     11. The liner system of  claim 8 , wherein the tubular includes a sealing member disposed on an outer surface thereof. 
   
   
     12. A method of completing a wellbore, comprising:
 expanding a first tubular member within the wellbore; 
 coupling a second tubular member to the first tubular member by expanding the second tubular member within the first tubular member in a location where the first tubular member was expanded; and 
 inserting a tubular string into a polished bore receptacle portion of the second tubular member, wherein the polished bore receptacle portion is not expanded. 
 
   
   
     13. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the first tubular member is expanded with outer radial force applied on an inner wall thereof. 
   
   
     14. The method of  claim 12 , wherein expanding the second tubular member includes expanding a portion thereof below the polished bore receptacle portion. 
   
   
     15. The method of  claim 12 , wherein expanding the second tubular member includes expanding a portion thereof above the polished bore receptacle portion. 
   
   
     16. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the first and second tubular members are expanded with an expander tool having at least one outwardly actuatable, member disposed thereupon. 
   
   
     17. The method of  claim 12 , wherein an expander tool is located adjacent the first tubular member during run in of the first tubular member. 
   
   
     18. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the first tubular member has a sealing member on an outer surface thereof. 
   
   
     19. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the second tubular member has a sealing member on an outer surface thereof.